An illustration supporting President Yoon Suk Yeol and opposing his impeachment is being held in entrance of the Hanjangjin Station, adjoining to the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul on Wednesday. (Yonhap)
Embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday night instructed his supporters that he would “struggle alongside you till the top to guard this nation,” in an obvious defiance to the investigators’ pledge to take him in custody earlier within the day.
“I thanks all for gathering in such giant numbers to guard the free democracy and Constitutional order of this nation. … I’m watching your efforts via dwell broadcast on YouTube,” Yoon stated in a written message delivered to his supporters holding a rally supporting him close to the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul.
“Korea is below risk from instigation of anti-state forces and the forces in and in another country attempting to deprive it of its sovereignty,”
READ: S. Korea court docket points arrest warrant for impeached president Yoon
The Corruption Investigation Workplace for Excessive-ranking Officers, heading the investigation on rebellion and energy abuse fees towards Yoon, vowed Wednesday morning to arrest Yoon earlier than the court-issued warrant expires after subsequent Monday. It additionally urged the Presidential Safety Service to not intervene with the arrest in any means.
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The president’s remark sparked furor from the opposition, who accused him of pushing his supporters to conflict with the authorities.
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“Yoon’s message clearly exhibits that he’s nonetheless delusional and is looking for rebellion,” stated Rep. Jo Seung-lae, the spokesperson of the principle opposition Democratic Get together of Korea.
Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the centrist Reform Get together stated it’s “unconceivable” that Yoon remains to be viewing the world through YouTube, poking at allegations that the president that he’s an avid believer of far-right YouTube channels and their ungrounded claims of the current parliamentary elections being rigged.
READ: Will or not it’s potential to arrest South Korean president Yoon?
An arrest warrant for Yoon was issued on Dec. 31, after the president snubbed the summon orders from the CIO for the third time. The company is at present deliberating with the police on when and find out how to make the arrest, as no sitting president has ever been arrested in historical past.
A president has immunity from being prosecuted for many crimes, however rebellion is an exception. Yoon is accused of rebellion relating to his Dec. 3 declaration of martial legislation and his associated orders, which embrace directions to arrest lawmakers, that had been uncovered within the prosecution’s current investigation.
Prosecutors stated that he ordered Capital Protection Commander Lee Jin-woo to “break down the door (of the Nationwide Meeting) and drag them (lawmakers) out,” ordering him to “shoot if you must.”
With the CIO chief Oh Dong-woon pledging a swift arrest, investigators are anticipated to maneuver as early as right now. The presidential safety workforce has no authorized grounds to cease the arrest, though it has already stopped investigators from searches associated to Yoon’s fees.
If Yoon is arrested, the investigators have 48 hours to request a warrant for his detainment or launch him.
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Along with the continuing legal investigation, the president can be present process an impeachment trial on the Constitutional Court docket, accused of rebellion and energy abuse.
